Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

A stamina sapping 3m on the new course for novice hurdlers and usually attracts a big field for a Grade 1 novice event. Often won by a horse with experience due to the attritional nature of the race.

Did You Know?

A three-mile novice hurdle known as the potato race since Albert Bartlett took over sponsorship from Brit Insurance in 2008

RACING POST VERDICT

10 Hillcrest ^IRE
J: Richard Patrick | T: H D Daly9/4

Form: -111U1

Henry Daly's strapping chap HILLCREST might just be the real deal. He has clocked times to suggest that he wouldn't have been out of place in Wednesday's shorter Ballymore and yet he was relentless from the front over this trip at Haydock, looking as though he could have gone round again. Gordon Elliott has long talked a good game with Ginto and, despite having performed to such a smart level at 2m4f, it bodes well that he's evidently keen to take him further. As for the rest, the four Willie Mullins runners all won last time and could have improved efforts in them, while Good Time Jonny might have been winning only handicaps, but he has the battle-hardened and progressive profile that always commands respect in this notoriously tough test for novices.[Alistair Jones]

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